PERRY, Ga. (AP) — Despite criticism, former Gov. Sonny Perdue says he's proud of his efforts to support fishing, including committing the state government to borrow $14 million for an aquarium in rural Georgia.

The Republican told WMAZ-TV (http://on.wmaz.com/1zJhuBl ) the Go Fish Education Center in Perry should be judged by the quality of the experience, not numbers. Perdue said he does not regret spending millions of dollars on the project.

When Perdue announced the facility would be built down the road from his home, officials predicted annual attendance of 200,000 visitors. During the latest year, the facility had 24,930 visitors.

The facility is open three days a week to the public, Friday through Sunday. It's reserved for students and tour groups Tuesday through Thursday.